Governor Neil Abercrombie has proposed a new tax on all soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages. Under Abercrombie’s proposal, a fee of 1 cent per ounce would be levied and all of the money raised would be spent to help combat obesity and oral health problems across the state. Abercrombie’s administration believes that approximately $37 million would be raised through the “soda tax” on an annualized basis. In addition, it is believed that this added fee would reduce consumption of soda and sugar-sweetened beverages by 8 to 10 percent.
The Hawaii Restaurant Association, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the International Longshore, and the Warehouse Union, as well as other businesses and labor groups, have openly opposed the Governor’s proposal and argue that the “soda tax” would create a loss of revenue and jobs. Executive Director for the Hawaii Restaurant Association, Roger Morey, stated, “My name is Roger and I drink sugary beverages. If you want to fight obesity, it shouldn’t start at the grocery store or the restaurant, it should start at home with the parents and the schools that educate their children on proper diet, proper exercise. And only if you start treating the cause, not the effect, will you become successful in fighting obesity in Hawaii,”
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 2-7-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
